Gold Coins in Medieval English Literature.

Author / Editor
Baker, Donald C.

Title
Gold Coins in Medieval English Literature.

Published
Speculum 36 (1961): 282-87.

Description
Describes medieval coins referred to in Chaucer and other Middle English literature, particularly the florin, noble, 'écu' or shield, 'mouton d'or,' and ducat. Comments on the designs, values, and usage of these coins and corrects several misconceptions in literary analysis, particularly confusion between the English ducat and the Italian ducat in discussions of PardT 6.774. Illustrates these coins in two plates.

Chaucer Subjects
Background and General Criticism
Pardoner and His Tale